Fabricated folded plate roof structure and support therefor



ec. 6, E966 R. w. GARTNER 3 FABRICATED FOLDED PLATE ROOF STRUCTURE ANDSUPPORT THEREFOR Filed NOV. 18, 1963 Fm INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,289,360 FABRICATED FOLDED PLATE ROOF STRUC- TUREAND SUPPORT THEREFOR Rodney W. Gartner, Buffalo, N.Y., assignor toFenestra, Incorporated, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan FiledNov. 18, 1963. Ser. No. 324,349 4 Claims. (Cl. 52--18) The inventionrelates to building construction and refers more specifically to foldedplate roof structure fabricated of separate metal structural membersincluding end frames, ridge and valley fold-line members and light gagemetal panels extending between adjacent ridge and valley fold-linemembers.

Traditional long span roof structures have been a series of spaced beamsor trusses covered by an independent deck system spanning between thespaced beams and trusses. Such structure requires particularly deep roofconstructions or objectionable intermediate vertical supports to preventover-stressing roof constructions of lesser depth.

In contrast to this traditional structure, folded plate roof structures,which are in essence deep structural beams tipped so that the flanges ofadjacent beams are in contact at ridge and valley lines, have been knownfor some time. With folded plate roof structure efficiency of materialusage is increased since the sloping plates of the deep structural beamsnot only carry primary web shear but also serve as structural roof deckand often as finished interior ceilings. Folded plate roof structureshave in the past been practical only in concrete and plywoodconstruction.

Concrete folded plate roof structure however has the disadvantage ofrequiring complicated design procedures. Also, a much heavier dead loadis present with concrete folded plate roof structure than is desired dueto the Weight of the concrete and complicated construction procedureswhich are suitable only under certain weather conditions are requiredwith concrete folded plate roof structure. In addition concrete in suchstructures is not well suited to the application of insulation andbuiltup roofing thereto and does not in itself provide adequateacoustical characteristics for many installations.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provideimproved folded plate roof structure.

Another object is to provide folded pirate roof structure comprising aplurality of separate metal members rigidly secured together.

Another object is to provide improved folded plate roof structurecomprising a plurality of vertical supports, parallel spaced apart endframes having aligned valleys and ridges supported by the supportmembers, elongated fold-line members extending between the alignedvalleys and ridges and light gage metal panels covering the area definedby the fold-line members and the frames.

Another object is to provide folded plate roof structure as set forthabove wherein the folded-line members are elongated V-shaped metalplates.

Another object is to provide folded plate roof structure as set forthabove wherein the metal panels are elongated and extend longitudinallybetween adjacent ridge and valley fold-line members.

Another object is to provide folded plate roof structure as set forthabove wherein the top surface of the fold-line members and adjacentsurfaces of the end frames are coplanar.

Another object is to provide metal folded plate roof structure which issimple in construction, economical to erect and efficient in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a partly broken away diagrammatic representation of abuilding including folded plate roof structure constructed in accordancewith the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged section view of a ridge of the roof constructionillustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section view of a valley of the roofconstruction illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 33in FIGURE 1..

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a valley detail of thefolded plate roof structure illustrated in FIGURES l3 with theinsulation and roofing material removed and illustrating a fold-linemember in phantom.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified eave detail ofthe folded plate roof structure illustrated in FIGURES l3 with theinsulation and roofing material removed and illustrating a fold-linemember in phantom.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged section view of an end detail of the roofconstruction illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the line 66in FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are diagrammatic illustrations of possible modificationsof the profile of the folded plate roof construction illustrated inFIGURE 1.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawing, one embodimentof the present invention will now be considered in detail.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 1, the building construction 10includes a folded plate roof structure 12 constructed of separate metalmembers rigidly secured together. The folded plate roof structureillustrated includes the vertical support members 14, end frame 16,fold-line members 18 and metal panels 20. Flashing 22, insulation 24 androofing material 26 complete the folded plate roof structure 12.

More specifically the vertical supporting members 14 may be, forexample, H-columns, as shown in FIGURES 2-5. The supporting members 14,as illustrated in FIG- URE 1, are provided extending vertically from theridges 28 and valleys 3t defined by spaced apart parallel end frames 16to a support therefor, such as the foundation 32 of the buildingconstruction 10. As shown best in FIGURE 2, the tops 34 of the columns14 at the ridges are provided with an inverted V configuration while thetops 34 of the columns 14 at the valleys are provided with a Vconfiguration.

End frames 16, as shown, are fabricated of I-beams secured to the spacedapart columns 14. As: secured to the columns 14 the end frames 16 definetransversely aligned ridges 28 and valleys 30.

The individual beams of the end frames 16 are provided with an upperflange 36 and '2 lower flange 40, as best illustrated in FIGURE 4. Theindividual beams of the end frames '16 make an angle with respect to thecolumns 14 similar to the angle formed by the V configuration of theends 34 of the columns with respect to the longitudinal axes thereof.The beams of the end frames 16 are further provided with notches 42 inthe upper flange thereof to receive the edge portions 44 of thefold-line members 18, as illustrated best in FIGURES 2-4.

The fold-line members 18 are elongated V-shaped' plates which areinverted at the ridges 28 but not at the valleys 30. The fold-linemembers 18 are rigidly secured to the tops of the columns 14 byconvenient means, such as welding and are provided with edge portions 44fitting into the notches 42 in the upper flanges 36 of the beams formingthe end frames 16.

The end frames 16 are so positioned vertically with respect to thefold-line members 18 that the upper surfaces of the fold-line members 18and the end frames 16 are coplanar. End frames 16 and fold-line members18 are rigidly secured together and to the columns 14 by convenientmeans, such as welding.

The panels 20 are light gage steel, high shear panels, similar to theelongated, low depth metal floor and ceiling panels well known in theconstruction industry. The panels 20 extend longitudinally between afold-line member 18 at a valley 3% and a fold-line member 18 at anadjacent ridge 28. Panels 20 are rigidly secured to the fold-linemembers by welding.

Flashing members 22 are provided at the valleys extending between thepanels 20, as shown best in FIG- URE 3. The flashing members 22 extenddownwardly and outwardly on both sides of the center of valleys 30, asillustrated best in FIGURE 1, to provide valley drainage in the foldedplate roof structure 12.

The folded plate roof construction 12 is completed by securing rigidinsulation 46 over the panels 20 and applying a built-up roof 48 overthe insulation 46.

As show-n best in FIGURE 2, the ridge portions 28 of the folded plateroof construction 12 include a V- shaped flashing 22 spanning betweenthe panels 20 at the ridge 28 and a ridge member 50 cemented in thebuilt-up roof construction 48.

The construction of the folded plate roof structure 12 at the ends 68and '70 of the building construction 10 is shown in detail in FIGURE 6.In FIGURE 6 an end wall 52 of masonry is provided, a fold-line member 18is secured to the masonry wall 52 by convenient means, such as grout '54and anchor bolts 56. The panels 20 are then secured to the upwardly andinwardly extending portion of the V-shaped fold-line member 18. Blocking58 is provided to which the eaves trough 60 is secured. Insulation 46and built-up roofing 48 are then provided over the panels 20, asillustrated.

The valley detail illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 is suitable forinterior valley supports if needed or with the fold-line member 18extended on both sides of the plane of the endframe, as shown in FIGURE4, is suitable for overhanging eaves construction. With the foldlinemember extending only on one side of the end frame 16, the detail ofFIGURES 3 and 4 is suitable for substantially flush eaves.

Alternatively the structure illustrated in FIGURE may replace thestructure illustrated in FIGURE 4 at the eaves where flush eavesconstruction is desired. Thus in FIGURE 5 the I-beam end frame 16 isreplaced by an end frame 62 including the exterior channel members 64and the interior angle members 66. In such construction the valleyfold-line member 18 is positioned to extend between the outwardlyextending flanges of the angles 66, fold-line member 18 and channels 64are secured as by welding to the top of a supporting column 14 having anotched end 34 as before. A similar detail may of course be provided atthe ridges where substantially flush eaves construction is desiredexcepting of course that the end frame 62, top of the column 14 andridge fold-line member 18 would be in an inverted V form.

Thus a metal folded plate roof structure is disclosed which is simple,economical and efficient. The folded plate roof structure disclosed hasthe particular advantage of simplifying design procedure as compared toconcrete folded plate roof structures, provides a lighter dead load thanconcrete roof structures and simplifies erection procedures since noforms or the like are required and temperature and weather duringerection is not an important factor. Also, panels 20 may be factoryfinished with any desired acoustical treatment and permit easyapplication of insulation and built-up roofing. Also, the metal foldedplate roof construction is of course non-combustible and is particularlyrigid to prevent deflection and considerably stronger than, for example,similar wood structures.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been considered indetail other embodiments and modifications are contemplated. Forexample, as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the ridges 28 and valleys 30 mayboth be provided with a flat horizontal portion or may singularly beprovided with a flat portion. It is the intention to include all suchmodifications as are defined within the scope of the appended claimswithin the scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Folded plate roof structure comprising a plurality of spaced apartvertical supporting H-columns, parallel spaced apart roof end framesconstructed of I-beams and having transversely aligned ridges andvalleys which end frames are supported at the ridges and valleys on saidH-columns, V-shaped plate fold-line members extending transverselybetween and secured to the end frames at both the ridges and valleys,the columns having V-shaped ends at the ridges and the fold-line membersat the ridges having downwardly opening V-shaped cross sectioncomplementary to the ends of the columns at the ridges, said beams beingrigidly secured to the end of the columns at the ridges and includingupper and lower flanges, recesses in the upper beam flanges at theridges, t-he fold-line members being secured to the top of the columnsat the ridges and in the recesses in the beams to provide coplanar uppersurfaces on the fold-line members and upper beam flanges at the ridges,light gage metal panels extending between and secured to adjacentfold-line members to cover the area between the end frames and fold-linemembers, rigid insulation positioned over the panels and roofing'material applied over said rigid insulation.

2. Folded plate roof structure comprising a plurality of spaced apartvertical supporting H-columns, parallel spaced apart roof end framesconstructed of I-beams and having transversely aligned ridges andvalleys which end frames are supported at the ridges and valleys on saidH- columns, V-shaped plate fold-line members extending transverselybetween and secured to the end frames at both the ridges and valleys,the columns having upwardly open V-shaped ends at the valleys, thefold-line members at the valleys being complementary in cross section tothe end of the columns at the valleys, said beams being rigidly securedto the ends of the columns at the valleys, and including upper and lowerflanges, recesses in the upper beam flanges at the valleys, thefold-line members being secured to the top of the columns at the valleysand in the recesses in the beams to provide coplanar upper surfaces onthe fold-line member and upper beam flanges at the valleys, light gagemetal panels extending between and secured to adjacent fold-line membersto cover the area between the end frames and fold-line members, rigidinsulation positioned over the panels and roofing material applied oversaid rigid insulation.

3. Folded plate roof structure comprising a plurality of spaced apartvertical supporting structural members, parallel spaced apart roof endframes having transversely aligned ridges and valleys which end framesare supported on said structural members, V-shaped plate fold-linemembers extending transversely between and secured to the end frames atboth the ridges and valleys, the structural members having V-shaped endsat the ridges and the fold-line members at the ridges having downwardlyopening V- shaped cross section complementary to the ends of thestructural members at the ridges, said end frames being rigidly securedto the ends of the structural members at the ridges, the fold-linemembers being secured to the top of the structural members at the ridgesand providing coplanar upper surfaces on the fold-line members and endframes at the ridges, light gage metal panels extending between andsecured to the adjacent fold-line members to cover the area between theend frames and fold-line members, rigid insulation positioned over thepanels and roofing material applied over said rigid insulation.

4. Folded plate roof structure comprising a plurality of spaced apartvertical supporting struct-rual members, parallel spaced apart roof endframes having transversely aligned ridges and valleys which end framesare supported at the ridges and valleys on said structural members, V-shaped plate fold-line members extending transversely between andsecured to the end frames at both the ridges and valleys, the structuralmembers having upwardly open V- shaped ends at the valleys, thefold-line members at the valleys being complementary in cross section ofthe end of the structural members at the valleys, said end frames beingrigidly secured to the ends of the structural members at the valleys,the fold-line members being secured to the top of the structural membersat the valleys to provide coplanar upper surfaces on the fold-linemembers and end frames at the valleys, light gage metal panels extendingbetween and secured to adjacent fold-line members to cover the areabetween the end frames and fold-line members, rigid insulationpositioned over the panels and roofing material applied over said rigidinsulation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK L, ABBOTT,Primary Examiner.

20 M. O. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner.

3. FOLDED PLATE ROOF STRUCTURE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED APARTVERTICAL SUPPORTING STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, PARALLEL SPACED APART ROOF ENDFRAMES HAVING TRANSVERSELY ALIGNED RIDGES AND VALLEYS WHICH END FRAMESARE SUPPORTED ON SAID STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, V-SHAPED PLATE FOLD-LINEMEMBERS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY BEATWEEN AND SECURED TO THE END FRAMES ATBOTH THE RIDGES AND VALLEYS THE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS HAVING V-SHAPED ENDSAT THE RIDGES AND THE FOLD-LINE MEMBERS AT THE RIDGES HAVING DOWNWARDLYOPENING VSHAPED CROSS SECTION COMPLEMENTARY TO THE ENDS OF THESTRUCTURAL MEMBERS AT THE RIDGES, SAID END FRAMES BEING RIGIDLY SECUREDTO THE ENDS OF THE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AT THE RIDGES, THE FOLD-LINEMEMBERS BEING SECURED TO THE TOP OF THE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS AT THE RIDGESAND PROVIDING COPLANAR UPPER SURFACES ON THE FOLD-LINE MEMBERS AND ENDFRAMES AT THE RIDGES, LIGHT GAGE METAL PANELS EXTENDING BETWEEN ANDSECURED TO THE ADJACENT FOLD-LINE MEMBERS TO COVER THE AREA BETWEEN THEEND FRAMES AND FOLD-LINE MEMBERS, RIGID INSULATION POSITIONED OVER THEPANELS AND ROOFING MATERIAL APPLIED OVER SAID RIGID INSULATION.